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Rodents! A word of warning for heat pump owners

 
Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs)
Last Post by dgclimatecontrol 10 minutes ago
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 Tim441
(@tim441)
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Joined: 3 years ago
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Topic starter 22/08/2025 2:02 pm  

Rodent issue... to highlight potential problem from my heat pump service (LG)

One worry was sign of rodent getting up the drainage holes in the unit and chewing some insulation. Fortunately no damage to electronics or pipe.

I will need to give some thought to protect the hole with mesh.... perhaps expanding mesh used by builders. Either galvanised or stainless

Not something I'd considered before and would've thought manufacturers would make rodent proof. Also some signs of chewing external pipe insulation

This topic was modified 3 hours ago by Tim441
This topic was modified 2 hours ago by Mars

Listed Grade 2 building with large modern extension.
LG Therma V 16kw ASHP
Underfloor heating + Rads
8kw pv solar
3 x 8.2kw GivEnergy batteries
1 x GivEnergy Gen1 hybrid 5.0kw inverter
Manual changeover EPS
MG4 EV


   
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 Old_Scientist
(@old_scientist)
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22/08/2025 3:11 pm  

Almost immediately after install, I had signed of rodent activity - chewed insulation on pipe runs in the loft. They seem to like foam pipe insulation, they've chewed up spare off cuts in the garage too.

I think the drip tray on my Samsung unit has punch out holes to fit a drainage pipe, so there aren't any uncovered drainage holes which seems a better design (unless the installer were to just punch them all out and leave to drip into a gravel soak away below).

Samsung 12kW gen6 ASHP with 50L volumiser and all new large radiators. 7.2kWp solar (south facing), Tesla PW3 (13.5kW)
Solar generation completely offsets ASHP usage annually. We no longer burn ~1600L of kerosene annually.


   
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Mars
 Mars
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22/08/2025 3:42 pm  

Did you take any photos @tim441?

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Subscribe and follow our Homeowners’ Q&A heat pump podcast


   
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dgclimatecontrol
 dgclimatecontrol
(@dgclimatecontrol)
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22/08/2025 5:15 pm  

Posted by: @tim441
↑

Rodent issue... to highlight potential problem from my heat pump service (LG)

One worry was sign of rodent getting up the drainage holes in the unit and chewing some insulation. Fortunately no damage to electronics or pipe.

I will need to give some thought to protect the hole with mesh.... perhaps expanding mesh used by builders. Either galvanised or stainless

Not something I'd considered before and would've thought manufacturers would make rodent proof. Also some signs of chewing external pipe insulation

 


   
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dgclimatecontrol
 dgclimatecontrol
(@dgclimatecontrol)
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Posts: 18
22/08/2025 5:20 pm  

The gaps and holes have reduced on heat pumps over the years. many we have installed are in rural areas and earlier units often allowed access.  We've seen a few PCBs burnt out with remnants of rodents! plus a few nests by the compressor jacket. In lofts, pipes should be in trunking to reduce nibbling. Watch out for wasp nests too, not a nice find!


   
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